M&S launches Food on the Move concept

11 November, 2011

Following hot on the heels of the opening of a new style in-store bakery concept, Marks & Spencer (M&S) has opened its first standalone ‘Food on the Move’ outlet in London today.

Currently only a one store trial, the outlet, located by London’s Baker Street underground station, will monitor customers’ responses to M&S selling hot and cold food on the move in a standalone location, said the firm. M&S already has 57 Food on the Move counters in its existing stores.

The new concept follows the launch of Sainsbury’s standalone takeaway food shop Fresh Kitchen in January this year. Waitrose has also voiced its intentions to increase the roll-out of its convenience store formats, which sell hot and cold takeaway food.

The new Food on the Move site, operated by franchise partner SSP, was previously a Whistlestop shop, and has heavy commuter traffic passing its doors from the tube station throughout the day.

Two hundred and fifty food lines will be available in the shop, with the majority coming from its existing Food on the Move offer, with the addition of a number of hot food products.

Its breakfast selection includes freshly made bacon rolls, an egg and bacon muffin and porridge. Steak ciabattas, chicken fajita wraps and vine ripened tomato and basil soup will be available for lunch. It will also serve a range of coffee and other hot drinks.

A special Christmas menu will also feature on opening, which includes: Christmas soup; turkey, brie and bacon toasted club and all-butter pastry mince pies.